Simi Valley police surrounded an apartment complex while searching for a man who allegedly pointed a gun at a business employee.

The incident began around 7 p.m. Monday at a laundromat at 1653 Royal Ave., according to the Simi Valley Police Department. The coin laundry is in a corner strip mall at Thompson Lane, east of Royal High School.

A man reportedly came in and acted erratically, authorities said, challenging patrons to fight. He then allegedly pulled up his shirt, revealing a gun in his waistband.

The man then walked toward a business next door. When he saw a female employee inside, he allegedly pulled out the gun, chambered a round and pointed it at her, according to police. Police did not know whether the gun was real, but it appeared real to witnesses.

As police arrived, the man ran north through the wash to the River Ranch Apartments in the 1500 block of Patricia Avenue.

Police contained the complex during a search that was aided by police dogs and a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter crew. Officers were nevertheless unable to locate the man. The search was called off around 10 p.m.

The man was described as about 30 years old, about 5-foot, 7-inches tall, wearing a black baseball cap and a striped shirt and carrying a backpack.

Anyone with information is asked to call Simi Valley police at 805-583-6950.